Relay



Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEElcE RELAY Laurance E. Gardiner, Stratford, N. J.

Application December 24, 1940, Serial No. 371,56.

(Cl. o-104) l2 Claims.

This invention relates to relays and more particularly to a relay which will have a high degree of sensitivity.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved relay embodying simplicity in its construction while maintaining reliability under operating conditions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved multiple contact relay which will be highly sensitive and capable of operation at high speed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved relay which isv capable of adjustment at the time of assembly and which will remain in adjusted condition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved relay which will be suitably encased and adequately protected from external dust and dirt and from moisture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a relay which will be comparatively free from sparking at the contacts.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of contactor mounting.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the annexed specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical central sectional view, considerably enlarged, of a preferred embodiment of a relay made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary central sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the relay shown in Fig. l.

It will, of course, be understood that the description and drawing herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

, Referring more `particularly to the drawing. in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustratedl an outer cylindrical casing I0 is provided. of suitable insulating and waterproof material such as Bakelite, hard rubber or any desired synthetic plastic material.

The upper end of the casing III is closed by a suitable cap I I of the same material as the casing Il, the cap II preferably being permanently secured to the casing for the purpose of preventing access to the interior of the casing I0 after the relay has been assembled. y

The lower end of the casing III is preferably closed by a suitable base portion I2 which is also preferably of the same material or a material similar to that of the casing Il. The base portion I2 may, if desired, have an outwardly extending ledge Il to provide an abutment for the lower edge of the casing Il in the sealed position of the casing III on the base portion I2. The casing It preferably fits the base portion I2 above the ledge I3 in such a manner that the interior is enclosed and access of dirt or dust and moisture to the interior of the relay is prevented.

The base portion I2 is preferably provided with a plurality of contact prongs, the contact prongs Il and I5 being provided for input to the winding or coil I6, as hereinafter more fully referred to. The contact prongs I1 and I8 are connected to movable contact members and the contact prongs I9, 20, 2| and 22 to fixed Contact members, as hereinafter more fully pointed out. The base portion I2 is also preferably provided with a projection 23 of the same material as the casing III with a suitable indexingportion 24 thereon for locating the respective contact prongs of the relay at the proper locations in the socket or other mounting for the relay.

Within the casing III a central vertical tube 25 is provided, of suitable insulating material such as Bakelite, hard rubber or other desired synthetic plastic material. The tube 25 has mounted thereon, a short distance inwardly from the upper and lower ends thereof, suitable disks 26 and 21 of similar insulating material, and the winding I6, comprising a suitable number of turns of wire, is provided on the tube 25 and between the disks 26 and 21.

The winding I6 in the preferred embodiment of the invention may be of any desired impedance to match the particular circuit in which the relay is employed. The relay is particularly adapted for use in signal equipment, alarm systems, and detecting systems of various sorts. It will, of course, be understood that for the various uses the impedance of the winding I6, the number of turns thereof, and other electrical, magnetic and mechanical characteristics thereof may be very widely varied.

Conductors 28 and 29 connected to the ends of the winding I6 are in turn respectively connected to the contact prongs I4 and I5. The

coil input circuit-thus comprises the input contact prongs I4 and I5, the conductors 28 and 29 and the winding I6.

The winding I6 is also preferably enclosed within a metallic casing or sheath of magnetizable material and the metallic casing preferably includes suitable metallic end disks 36 and 3| of magnetizable material which are respectively mounted above and below the winding. A cylindrical casing portion 32 of magnetizable material is also provided and extends between and is soldered or otherwise secured to the end disks 36 and 3I. The metal casing forms a part of the magnetic circuit of the relay an thus reduces the reluctance of that circuit while also serving as a shield to diminish interference with external circuits. The metal casing may, if desired, be grounded in any preferred manner.

An insulating covering 33 is provided and around this an insulating wrapping 34 is provided, the wrapping 34 being held in position in any desired manner.

A metallic core member 35 is provided and also forms a part of the magnetic circuit. 'I'he core member 35, preferably composed of a round pin of magnetizable material, is mounted with a snug t within the lower portion of the tube 25. The core member 35 is of a length such that the lower end thereof extends below the disk 21 but does not extend to the lower end of the tube 25. The core member 35 may be moved within the tube 25 to the desired position of adjustment.

An armature 36 is also provided, the armature 36 being of a suitable material responsive to magnetic force and is preferably in the form of a round pin of an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the tube 25. The armature 36 is freely movable vertically in the upper portion of the tube 25, as hereinafter more fully referred to. The lower end of the armature 36 may have a stop pin 31 of non-magnetic material mounted thereon to serve as a stop or spacer between the armature 36 and the core member 35. The core member 35 is adjusted so that the space between the pin 31 and the upper end of the core member 35 will permit of adequate and proper movement of the armature 36. Upon energization of the winding I6 the armature 36 will be moved so that the stop pin 31 is brought into contact with the core member 35 The armature 36 has secured to the upper end thereof a disk 46 of Bakelite or similar material for purposes hereinafter more fully referred to.

A covering disk 4I of Bakelite or similar material is provided above the end disk 36.

Contact supporting brackets 45 and 46 are provided for carrying contact disks 45L and 46n of tungsten or other desired material. These brackets 45 and 46 preferably are made of thin flat strips of spring brass so that they may be bent if necessary to the desired position of adjustment. The brackets each include a horizontally disposed portion 45", and 46b and a vertically disposed portion 45, 46, the vertically disposed portions 45, 46 extending down alongside the casing I6 and preferably between the covering 33 and the wrapping 34 to provide the desired electrical insulation. The contact brackets 45 and 46 are connected respectively to the contact prongs 22 and I9 carried by the base portion I2.

Interior contact brackets 41 and 48 are also provided and are also preferably made of thin flat strips of spring brass so that they may be bent to the desired position of adjustment. The brackets 41 and 46 each have contact disks 41* .ably between the covering 33 and the wrapping 34, are insulated from the metallic casing 32 and from each other and are connected, respectively,

i to contact prongs 26 and 2I carried by the base portion I2.

Movable contact members 56 and 5I operable by the movement 36 of the armature are also provided, preferably of thin dat strips of spring brass and have portions which extend vertically downward along the outside of the casing 32 between the covering 33 and the wrapping 34 and are electrically insulated. The movable contact members 56 and 5I are connected, respectively, to contact prongs I1 and I8 by downwardly extending strips 56' and 5I' disposed between the covering 33 and the wrapping 34. These contact brackets 56 and 5I each have generally horizontally disposed portions 56'L and 5Ia which extend inwardly and under the disk 46 and are bent back as at 56h and 5I along the portions 56l and 5IL for a part of the length thereof and extend upwardly as at 56 and 5|. The movable contact brackets have, mounted at the upper ends thereof, opposed face contact portions 56d and 5Id for contact, respectively, with the contact face portions 41 and 46* carried by the inner contact brackets 41 and 46 and the contact face portions 46l and 45* carried by the outer' contact brackets 46 and 45.

It will be noted that the upwardly extending portions 56c and 5I are greater in length than the horizontally extending portion 56l and 5I* so that a multiplying action is obtained when the armature 36 and the disk 46 carried thereby move downwardly and carry with them the inner end portions of the movable contact mountings 56 and 5I A brass strip 52 is provided which extends downwardly a suflicient distance between the covering 33 and the wrapping 34 to provide for anchoring, the upper end extending transversely to a location to provide a stop or limit for the upward movement of the armature 36.

The operation will be briefly summarized. The relay is shown in its deenergized position in Figs. 1 and 2 and the armature 36 is in its normal upper position. An electrical circuit is provided which includes the contact prong I1, the strip 56', the contact member 56 with its contact face portion 5I!d in contact with the contact face portion 46, the contact strip 46c and the contact prong I6. A similar circuit is also provided which includes the contact prong I6, the contact strip 5I', the contact member 5I with its contact facc portion 5Id in contact with the contact face 45a of the contact member 45, the contact strip 45c -and the prong 22.

When the coil is energized through the circuit `which includes the contact prong I4, the conductor 28, the winding I6, the conductor 29 and the contact prong I5, a magnetic circuit is set up which tends to draw the armature 36 downwardly. The magnetic circuit includes `the winding I6, the core member 35, the metallic casing with its cylindrical portion 32 and end disks 36 and 3|, and the armature 36. Upon the downward movement of the amature 36, the force applied from the amature I8 to the disk 40 is applied to the inwardly extending end portions of the spring contact members 50 and 5I. The downward movement causes the contact members 50 and 5I to be actuated so that the contact portions 50d and 5Id are rst moved out of their initial position in engagement with the contact members 45 and 45 and upon further continued downward armature movement the contact members 50 and 5| Aare moved so that their other contact faceportions vl and Sid are then brought into contact with the contact members IB and Il. Two new electrical circuits are thus set up. One of these circuits includes the prong I1, the contact strip 50', the contact member 50 with its contact face portion 5l*l in contact with the con- -tact face portion "l, the contact strip llc and the prong 20. '111e other circuit includes the prong I8, the contact strip 5l', the contact member 5I with its contact face portion 5|d in contact with the contact face portion 48, the contact strip c and the prong 2l.

Upon deenergization of the winding I6, the armature 36 is released so that it tends to move upwardly and permit the contact members 50 and 5I to return to their intitial positions. The spring action of the movable contact members 50 and 5I aids the upward movement of the armature 36.

The making and breaking of the contacts may occur very rapidly. The closeness of the core and the armature and the particular arrangement of the magnetic circuit provides for an increased magnetic lield and thus increases the sensitivity f for a given power input. 'I'he small motion of the armature and the disposition of the armature provide for retention of the armature within the magnetic zone of greatest strength. The character of the action of the movable contact members which are provided and the multiplication of the motion of the armature provide for a very rapid making and breaking of the contacts.

The manner of mounting the contact face portions 45, 46, 41 and la* permits of suillcient rigidity to obtain a good contact and also sutilcient elasticity tc prevent any undesired rebound of the movable contact members.

I claim:

1. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, a contact member mounted beyond one end of said winding, and a movable contact member flxedly supported at one end, said movable contact member having a spring arm portion for engagement by said armature and a contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, said supporting arm portion having a contact portion movable into and out of contact with said first-mentioned contact member.

2. A relay having a Winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, a contact member mounted beyond one end of said winding, and a movable contact member xedly supported at one end, said movable contact member having a spring arm portion for engagement by said armature and a contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, said supporting arm portion having a contact portion movable into and out of contact with said rst-mentioned contact member and being of greater length than said spring arm portion for multiplying the effect of the movement of the amature.

3. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding, and a movable contact member having a cantilever spring arm portion for engagement with said armature and a contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, said supporting arm portion having a contact portion movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith.

4. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding, and a movable contact member having a cantilever spring arm portion and a contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, said supporting arm portion having a contact portion movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith and being of greater length than said spring arm portion for ,multiplying the eiTect of the movement of the armature.

5. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding, a movable contact member having a spring arm portion radially disposed at the end of said winding for engagement with said armature, said movable contact member also having an integral contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, and contacts carried by said supporting arm portion and movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith.

6. A relay including a magnetic circuit and having a winding, an axially movable armature actuated by said magnetic circuit, spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding and in a horizontal plane out of alinement with the path of movement of said armature, a resilient movable contact member having a spring arm portion for engagement with said armature, said movable contact member also having a contact supporting arm portion extending angularly from said spring arm portion, and contacts carried by said supporting arm portion and movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith.

7. A relay including a magnetic circuit and having a winding, an axially movable armature actuated in one direction by said magnetic circuit, a resilient movable contact member having a spring arm portion for engagement with said armature and for actuation of said armature in the opposite direction, said movable contact member also having a contact supporting arm portion extending at an angle from said spring arm portion, spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding and in a horizontal plane out of alinement with the path of movement of said armature, and contacts carried by said supporting arm portion and movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith.

8. A relay including a magnetic circuit and having a winding, an armature movable axially with respect to said winding and actuated in one direction by said magnetic circuit, a movable contact member having a cantilever spring arm portion radially disposed at the end of said winding for engagement with said armature and for actuating said armature in the opposite direction, said movable contact member also having winding, said movable contact member including a cantilever spring arm portion extending toward said amature for engagement therewith and a portion extending along said spring arm portion and at an angle away from said spring arm portion to provide a contact supportingarm portion,and a contact carried by said supportling arm portion and movable into and out of contact with said first-mentioned contact member.

10. A relay having a winding; an armature movable with respect to said winding, a contact member mounted beyond one end of said winding, a movable contact member mounted on said winding, said movable contact member including a cantilever spring arm portion extending toward said armature for engagement therewith and a portion extending along said spring arm portion and at an angle away from said spring arm portion to provide a contact supporting arm portion, and a contact carried by said supporting arm portion and movable into and out of contact with said mst-mentioned contact member, said supporting arm portion being of greater length than said spring arm portion for multiplying the eilect of the movement of said armature.

11. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding, a pair of spaced contact members mounted beyond one end of said winding, a movable contact member mounted on said winding, said movable contact member including a cantilever spring arm portion extending toward said armature for engagement therewith and a portion extending along said spring arm portion and at an angle away from said spring arm portion to provide a contact supporting arm portion, and contacts carried by said supporting arm portion and movable between said spaced contact members for alternate contact therewith.

12. A relay having a winding, an armature movable with respect to said winding and having an enlarged end portion, a contact member, a movable contact member, said movable contact member including a cantilever spring arm portion extending toward said armature for engagement with the enlarged end portion thereof and a portion extending back along said spring arm portion and at an angle away from said spring arm portion to provide a contact supporting arm portion, and a contact carried by said supporting arm portion and movable into and out of contact with said first-mentioned contact member.

LAURANCE E. GARDINER. 

